Wheel-chair.



O. L. HOOKNTY.

WHEEL CHAIR. APPLICATION FiLED NOV. 25, 1907.

Patented Jan. 12, 1909.

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C. L. HOCKNEY.

WHEEL CHAIR.

APPLIOATIONMIILED NOV. 25, 1907.

Patented Jan. 12,1909.

4 SHEETSSHEET 2.

i I l C. L. HOUKNEY.

WHEEL CHAIR. APPLICATION FILED NOV. 25, 1907.

909,41 1 a Patented Jan. 12, 1909.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

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@esirli 132M c. L. HOGKNEY.

WHEEL CHAIR.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 25, 1907.

999,4;11 11 E, I Patented Jan. 12, 1909.

4 SHEETSSHEET 4.

67.765, vjkoenibrr & 1'

UNITED ere i OFFICE,

CHESTER L. HOCICNEY, OF SILVERLAKE, WISCONSIN, ASSIGNOR TO DOUGLAS DYRENFORTH,

OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

mat-CHAIR.

Application filed November 1907.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 12, 19091 Serial No. 403,300.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHESTER L. HOCKNEY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Silverlake, in the county of Kenosha and State of Wisconsin, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Wheel-Chairs, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to that class of wheelchairs in which provision is made for folding or collapsing the same when it is desired to transport or store the chair, and the 0bj ect of my invention is to construct a light, durable chair, which shall be rigid when distended for use, easilyand readily adjusted from one position to the other, and capable of being folded to a small compass in a compact manner.

Referring to the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 is a perspective view of my imroved chair, the wheels being represented y dotted lines; Fig. 2, a perspective view of the frame, with the wheels, back, foot and leg-rest, seat and side supports not shown;

Fig. 3, a plan sectional view of the frame alone, showing the same in a partially folded position; Fig. 4, a broken perspective view of the forward portion of the frame in a partially folded position; Fig. 5, an enlarged broken plan View showing one of the wheel-axles, and the rule-joint adjacent thereto, and Fig. '6, a view in elevation of the parts shown in Fig. 5; Fi 7, a broken side elevation of the adjusta l o e foot-rest; Fig. 8, a broken plan sectional view of the center pivotal rule-joint of the axle showing the lockin lever, or latch; Fig. 9, a broken sectional elevation of the rule-j oint shown in Fig. 8, the view being taken at the line 9 on Fig. 8 and viewed in the direction of they arrow, and Fig. 10, a perspective View of the locking lever, or latch, and its engaging tongue.

In constructing my improved chair, I provide two similar non-collapsible side-frames 11, 11, preferably formed of tubing, each having a horizontal seat-suppgrt 12, and an army 13, preferably parallel to the latter thou h spaced some distance above the same,

to w ich its forward curved end is attached in any desired manner, the arm belng supplemented by a member 13 to afford a wider su port for the occupant of the chair. Each -'si e-frame has an upward rear extension 14,

terminatin in a curved hook-shaped handle 15 and a downward forward-extension 16,

same at any adjusted position. At the baseof each post 18 are provided ears between which is pivoted one end of a forwardlyeXt-ending arm 19, to form a hinge 20, and upon each of these arms are secured hingeclips 21, one at its free end and one adjacent to its hinge 20, and between opposite hinge clips 21, to which their ends are pivoted forming hinges 21*, are two members 22 extending transversely of the chair and having a platform 23, Fig. 1, secured to them to form a foot-rest. This platform is divided between its ends at 23 in line with the longitudinal center of the chair, and each member 22 is provided with a hinge 24 intermediate its ends and coincident with the division 23 of the platform. The hinges 24 are so arranged as to resist pressure from above to preventflexing of the member 22, from a horizontal plane, but to yield to pressure from below to enable the foot-rest to be folded ina manner indicated in Fig. 4, and the hinges 20 rigidly sustain the arms 19 (supporting the foot-rest) in a lowered position while permitting them to be swung upwardly in folding.

A jointed axle 25 is secured in place near the forward ends of the side-frames by means of brackets 26, one of which is attached to each side-frame to extend downwardly therefrom, and at its base is rigidly fastened the axle-spindle 25", around which the wheel revolves, to hold the same in a fixed position, relative to the frame. A hinge 27 is rovided in the axle adjacent to each bracket 26, on the inside thereof, and midway between these two hinges 27 and in line. with the "longitudinal center of the chair the axle is provided with a third or central hinge 28. A tongue 29 is attached (preferably by brazing) to the inner end of one of the intermediateior central sections of the axle to project beyond the end of said section past the central hinge 28, where, at its free end, it is reinforced and provided with a slot 30,- as shown in Figs. 8 and 10.

"The slot 30 is of such size and contour as to permit thetongue 29 to surround and pass the adjacent end of the latch or locking-lever 31, which is pivoted at 32 to the other of said intermediate or central sections of the axle when": the latch or ilocldn'g lever is in f ahorizon'tal position, as is also indicated in Figs. 8 and 10. When the chair is being unfolded or ,distended to position foruse the tongue 29 passes the latch 31 (the latter atthis time being in a horizontal position) whereupon it is swung to a vertical position causingiz t to overlap the rojecting ends of the ton' 'e 'aat opposite si es of the pivot. 32

to rigi is pivotally attached one end of a brace or transverse member 34 to form a-hinge 35 ad jacent tomach side-frame, these hinges corresponding with'the hinges 27 of the axle ably attached to the. upward rear extensions with which they are in longitudinal aline- I ment. This brace 34 is provlded between its ends with a third or central hinge 36, in line with the longitudinal center of the chair siinilar to and corresponding with the hinge 28 of the axle.

The hinges or joints employed throughout the construction of the chair-frame are rule-joints, allowing the members to swing freely in one direction but assuring rigidity to the members'when in the position where the abutting shoulders of the hinges are in contact. The hinges of the axle and those of the brace, or transverse member, are-constructed and arranged to swing in a 'horizontalplane, and the pivot-pin of the central hinge 28 of the axle extends above the same where it is provided with an enlarged hollow head 37, into which is suitably secured one end ofa reach 38 securely held in position at a point betwen its ends by a depending extension 39 of the pivotpin of thelcentral hinge 36 of the brace 34.

The rearward extension of the reach is'pw vided with a substantially verticalit'u'bular bearing 40, for the purpose of receiving and swiveling the shank o-r spindle ofa fork 41, carrying a wheel 42, said fork and wheel being shown by dotted lines in Fig. 1.

A seat 43 provided at the front and rear with transverse members 44 is secured in position by clips 45, which loosely surround the seat-supports 12, of the two side-frames, and are attached to the adj acent' ends of the transverse members 44. The seat and transverse members 44- are divided, centrally at 46 in line with the longitudinal center of the chair similarly to the foot-rest, as before explained,'and hinges 46 are provided on the under side of the members 44 coincident with the division 46 therein to act in the same manner as the hinges 24 of the footrest.

A flexible or yielding back 47 is provided, preferably of leather or canvas, and i-suitof the two side-frames, and a leg support 48, similar to the back 47, is attached like manner. to the downwardfiforw'a sions 16 of the fraliie meinbers, tween the seat-support '12 and each of the side-frames is secured aside-49 preferably of the sameinaterial aStlie back}, and leg-support, suitably fastened'in place. As shown in the drawings, these sides are hung over the arms 13 with their lower edges extending to within a short distance of for the purpose of holding them'in place, I

the seat-support 12 to which they are laced thus affording an air-space between the sides 5 and seat, but this :however is not essentialand may be dispensed with.

The operation of the chair is'as follows:

shown in Fig. 1, the latch 31 is swung on its pivot from a vertical position to that'of a horizontal, when the to ue' 29 is free to be forced past the latch. 31, the contour of the slot COHfL :ming to that of the adjacent end of the latch and in registration therewith so Suppose the chair to be in position for use, as

movement may be completed or supplemented by pressure exerted upon the side-frames from o posite sides. The action of drawing forwar the reach serves also to draw the rear wheel into the space between the two forward wheels, thereby materially shortening the longitudinal length of wheel-base when in its collapsed condition. It will be observed that the back and leg-support are formed of flexible material which naturally folds during the operation of collapsing the chair. By having the leg-support relatlvely low with relation to the chair-body as shown, ready access is afforded to the latch for looking and unlocking the chairz'but it is to be, understood that the invention is in no sense limited to this or similar details in the matter of material or dimensions. As the chair is thus being folded the two sections of. the seat and foot-rest are folded together, the

provided with hand-rails by which the user may propel himself, while the frame is shown as'provided with the handles at the clips connecting the two divisions of the upper extremity, it will readily be understood that the handles referred to may be wholly omitted or that the hand-rails may be wholly omitted on the wheels, or that instead of one rear wheel two rear wheels may be used having a common supporting axle or frame, these various modifications in this type of chair being already well known in the art. It will also be understood that while the parallel side-frames are shown and described as made preferably of tubular material the invention is in no sense limited to the material in this regard, since the frames may be of wood or soft metal, as is also the case with the axle or brace. It will also be understood that modifications to suit the taste of the maker or user are possible in the general design of the chair either as a whole or as to its details without departing from my invention.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent isy 1. In a wheel-chair of the type adapted to be collapsed transversely, the combination with substantially parallel side-frames each carrying a rigidly-attached axle-spindle for a side wheel, of front and rear connecting bars each having an intermediate folding-joint and a folding-joint toward each end, said bars constructed and arranged to fold in the same direction, a central rigid reach connecting said bars and a wheel held by said central reach at a point to cause the wheel-base to be shortened upon folding, as set forth.

In a wheel-chair of the type adapted to be collapsed transversely, the combination with substantially parallel side-frames each carrying a rigidly-attached axle-spindle for a side wheel, of front and rear connectingbars each having an intermediate foldingjoint and a folding-joint towardeach end,

said bars constructed and arranged to fold in the same direction, a central rigid reach .-onnecting the intermediate joints of said connecting-bars, and a wheel pivotally held by said central reach at a point to cause the wheel-base to be shortened by the act of folding, as set forth.

3. In a wheel-chair of the type adapted to be collapsed transversely, the combination with substantially parallel side-frames each carrying a rigidly-attached axle-spindle for a side wheel, of front and rear'connectingbars each having an intermediate foldingjoint and 'a folding-joint toward each end, said bars constructed and arranged to fold in the same difection, a central rigid reach connecting the intermediate joints of said connecting-bars, a wheel held by said central reach at apoint to cause the wheel-base to be shortened upon folding, and alocking device on one of the connecting-bars locking the same at its intermediate joint'and thereby preserving the frame rigidly in it's dis tended position, as set forth.

4. In a wheelhair of the type adapted I to be collapsed trai'isversely, the combination carrying a rigidly-attached axle-spindle for a side wheel, of front and rear connecting bars each havingan intermediate foldingjoint and a folding-joint toward each end, a central rigid reach connecting the intermediate joints of said connecting-bars, a wheel carried by said central reach, a tongue rigid with a section of one of said connecting-bars,

its free end oi erlapping the adjacent section rear connecting-bars each having an intermediate rule-joint and a similar joint in each of said connecting-bars adjacent to each side-frame, said joints arranged to afford rigidity to the frame when .in a dis: tended position, a central rigid reach connecting the intermediate joints of the connecting-bars, a wheel carried by the reach, a tongue rigid with a section of one of said connecting-bars, its free end overlapping the adjacent section of the connecting-bar and provided at its free end with a slot, and a latch pivoted to said adjacent section and adapted to engage the tongue at its slotted end to lock the frame in its distended position, substantially as set forth.

6. In a wheel-chair of the type adapted to be collapsed transversely, in combination substantially parallel side-frames each having rigidly secured thereto a wheel-carrying axle-spindle, front and rear connecting-bars each having lateral intermediate joints as described, said ba'rs constructed and arranged to fold in the same direction, a reach connecting the intermediate joints of said connecting-bars, a wheel carried by said reach at a point to cause the wheel-base to be shortened upon folding, and a longitudinally-divided jointed seat supported laterally on the frame-members, as described, whereby on collapsing, the sides of'the chair fold toward each other, and when the parts are all distended they are held against 001- lapsing, substantially as set forth. v

7. In a wheel-chair of the type adapted to be collapsed transversely, the combination with substantially parallel side-frames each carrying a rigidly-attached axle-spindle for a side wheel, of front and rear connecting 'with substantially parallel side-frames each bars each having an intermediate foldingjoint and a foldingrjoint toward each end,

said bar's consti'rtcted and arranged to fold' in the same directron, a central rigid reach connecting the intermediate joints of said 5 connecting bars,-a wheel carried by said cen'-" tral reach at a point to cause the wheelbase to be shortened upon folding, and an adjustable foot-rest carried by the side-frames and provided with hinges to permit the foot-rest 0 to be folded against said side-frames, the foot-rest being longitudinally divided and jointed to permitthe foot-rest to fold as the chair is collapsed, substantially as set forth.

8. In a wheel-chair of the type adapted to 15 be collapsed transversely, the combination with substantially parallel non-collapsible vside-frames "each carrying a rigidly-attached axle-spindle .for a side-wheel, of front and 7 rear connecting-bars each having an inter- 20 mediate folding-joint and a folding-joint toward each end, said bars constructed and arranged to fold in the same direction, a central rigid reach connecting the intermediate joints of said connecting-bars, a wheel car- '25 ried by said central reach at a point to cause 'a central. rigid reach connecting the inter-A mediate joints of said connecting-bars, a wheel carried by said reach, a post telescoping with the forward extension of each sideframe and adjustable thereon, each' of said posts carryingka forwardly-projecting arm hinged to the post, a longitudinally-dlvided foot-rest hinged at opposite sides to said arms, and a lock for rigidly holding the frame in a distended position, substantially as described.

10. A' collapsible rolling-chair comprising in combination substantially rigid side members each comprising a seat-portion, an armportion and a back-portion, a rigidly-attached axle-spindle on =.each side-member and a wheel thereon, front and rear frameconnections each having lateral joints and a central joint, said frame-connections constructed and arranged to fold in the same direction, a central rigid reach extending longitudinally of the chair and connected to the central joints of said frame-connections, a pivoted wheel secured to said reach at a point to cause the wheel-base to be shortened upon folding,-a longitudinally-divided jointed seat hinged to the side frames, a longitudinally divided foot-rest hinged to the side-frames, and means for locking the frames in distended position, the parts being arranged substantially as described whereby the collapsing of the chair or the distention thereof may be performed without removing any of the parts.

CHESTER L. HooKNEY; 

